Pupils across the East Midlands are being told to stay home as school officials deal with delays in building works and the vetting of new staff.

In Derbyshire, more than 1,000 pupils are facing a few more days of summer holiday as schools sort out staff checks.

Anyone who has had building work done on their homes knows that things don't always go as smoothly as planned

Andrew Flack, director of education at Derby City Council

Three of the schools affected are Asterdale Primary School in Spondon, Noel Baker Community School in Alvaston and Sinfin Community School.

The Home Office says the checks are being carried out as quickly as possible and the Criminal Records Bureau is working to clear its backlog.

Massive refurbishment

Sinfin Community School headteacher Steve Monks said: "The building delays are a big headache for both staff and students, and parents as well."

Almost 600 of his pupils will have to wait until Monday to start classes because of ongoing repair and building work.

Sinfin College pupils are staying home

Andrew Flack, director of education at Derby City Council said: "Anyone who has had building work done on their homes knows that things don't always go as smoothly as planned."

In Leicestershire, a special needs school is being forced to turn some of its pupils away because of delays with building work.

Almost a third of pupils at Forest Way Special School in Coalville might have to stay at home until next week.

The main delays in Nottinghamshire are in Mansfield, where seven schools in the district are not able to open on time because of problems with building works during a massive refurbishment programme.

In Lincolnshire, most schools are expected to open on schedule, but some will remain closed because of building work taking longer than expected.

The Lincolnshire schools affected include the Kidgate County Primary School in Louth, Mablethorpe Primary School and St Mary's Primary, at Weston near Spalding.